Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has urged the settled community to "extend the hand of friendship" to Travellers to try to overcome the divisions and tensions that have emerged in the past few weeks over the Pádraig Nally case in Co Mayo.
Nally, a Mayo farmer, was sentenced earlier this month to six years for the manslaughter in October 2004 of Traveller father of 11, John Ward.
Mr Ahern said yesterday he did not wish to comment on the events of recent weeks, but he believed the only way to try to help members of the Travelling community overcome disadvantage was by adopting a humane approach of assistance.
"People are entitled to their views on crime-related activities, but that should not take away from the focus to help members of the Travelling community, assist them, integrate them where possible and that can only be done by holding out the hands of friendship."
Mr Ahern was speaking in Cork where he congratulated the Traveller Visibility Group (TVG) on its work as he opened a €1.5 million centre for the organisation on Lower John Street.
He said the centre would provide 20 much-needed childcare spaces for children whose parents were in employment, education or training. He welcomed the role of representative groups such as the TVG in delivering services to Travellers.
"At a time of unprecedented economic success, Travellers should be able to share in the benefits of our increased wealth. Unemployment levels amongst Travellers are at an unacceptable level," said Mr Ahern, announcing an extra Government grant of €143,000 for the centre.
"I believe State agencies can play a more pro-active role in supporting Travellers to develop skills and access employment in the public and private sectors."
TVG project co-ordinator Chrissie O'Sullivan said there had been much negative publicity about Travellers recently but the opening of the centre provided an opportunity to highlight the positive relationships between Travellers and the settled community.
Ms O'Sullivan said the centre provided a tremendous facility but she urged State agencies to come together to provide a youth worker for young Travellers in the city, as there is currently no such service.
TVG chairwoman Noreen O'Brien said the centre would make a huge difference to the lives of Travellers in Cork as it was the only such resource in the area and would prove particularly useful in terms of education and health.
TVG secretary Brian Ó Gallachóir said it was a historic day for the group but challenges remained in the areas of health, education, accommodation and discrimination against Travellers. "We have seen a very successful move from a charity-based model of working for Travellers to a community development approach of working together with Travellers."
